From student project to gaming hit: “Drova” was a standout title in Germany’s gaming industry in 2024. A small team proves top-tier games aren't just made in big cities. A visit.
Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Ruhr Area – German video games are usually developed in large cities and urban centers. However, anyone wanting to meet the creators of Drova needs to head to Magdeburg, specifically to Stadtfeld Ost. Strolling through the streets there, you’ll find no obvious signs pointing to the home of the developers from Just2D. Only a modest doorbell label reveals where the work on video games takes place.Game Design From a Shared Flat
At first glance, the premises of Just2D look like a mix between a small co-working space and a student flatshare. Cable channels run along the hallway floor, awards and fan mail pile up on a table. A withered houseplant and a computer science poster are part of the minimalist decor. The furniture is limited to desks with huge monitors and gaming consoles. It quickly becomes clear: this is a place where work happens in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.Christian Sandkämper and Johannes Hauffe, the two managing directors of Just2D, emphasize that they aim to create a cozy and individual environment, not only in their office space but also in their team culture. The Magdeburg headquarters hosts a core team of four: in addition to Sandkämper and Hauffe, the founding members include Kai Bornemann and Julian Voß.
An Epic Pixel-Art World
What might seem like a student setup is exactly that: the “flatshare” team met during their studies. All four studied computer science at Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg and were part of the student club “Acagamics”, where they worked on video game projects. It was during this time that the idea for Drova was born: a pixel-art role-playing game with a vast open world and an epic storyline. That idea eventually became reality. In Drova, players embark on a journey to find the fabled city of Nemeton. It’s a long road filled with battles, any of which can be fatal. The inhabitants of this world are equally harsh—grim and unfriendly, particularly at the start of the game. Drova and its inhabitants don't make it easy for players, but these very challenges are what make the game so compelling and fascinating.Game Development: A Balance of Business and Passion
For the Just2D team, however, it was also a long and challenging journey. They quickly realized that creating a game wasn’t enough—mastering the business side was just as crucial. “My dream isn’t just Drova,” says Christian Sandkämper. “My dream is to build a company and create things like Drova.” This mindset helped him cope with the more tedious aspects of game development.“You have to be professional in some way. You need to understand how funding works, how to handle all the legal matters in Germany. It’s not fun, but you just have to get through it.”
German government funding for video games played a key role in turning their dream into reality. The program covered half of the project’s €700,000 budget, with the other half coming from their publisher (essentially the gaming world’s equivalent of a book or record label) and their own savings.
How Just2D Maintains Team Spirit
The story of Just2D shows that artistic ambition alone isn’t enough to create a game. There must also be a determination to turn it into a sustainable business. But this raises the question: how do you transition from a friendly, student-era collaboration to a professional partnership?
One way is by thoroughly discussing and formalizing everything during the company’s founding stage. Another is by creating regular opportunities for open dialogue, explains Christian Sandkämper:
“Every two weeks, we hold a retrospective where we come together and talk about feelings. We’ve done this from the start, so there’s always been space to bring up any issues.”
Twitch: Game Development on Livestream
In the end, it has all paid off. The team’s collaborative approach works, and Drova has become a success. While the developers are not allowed to share specific figures, Christian Sandkämper and Johannes Hauffe believe that Drova is turning a profit, enabling them to begin their next project.The flatshare setup is here to stay. And for those curious, you can even watch the Drova creators in action. There’s a second shared flat, so to speak—the “Developer WG.” That’s the name of their Twitch channel, where they livestream their game development process. Perhaps viewers will soon get a glimpse of their next big hit, proudly made in Magdeburg.
February 2025